Turns out I can't run properly.

[topcat2014]

I am 50 this year, and (within the last five years) have run three half marathons.

I was never, and am not, an uber fit type - this was quite a struggle each time and took over 3 hours.

Anyway, talking to a friend who has just engaged a 'running coach' it seems I can't run properly.

I am 'heel striking' the floor - which is a big no no. (and probably explains why I am not actually any good)

Just tried a short run with using the 'front' part of my feet to land on, and that didn't feel any easier.

You learn something new every day

Your friend is chatting shite. Most elite marathon runners heel strike.
Form is important but I’d be looking at cadence, upper body, and stride length.

If you can run a half marathon, you can run I've been running for a long time and some runs are still a massive struggle, some are a breeze.

@lastqueenofscotland cadence - that's like frequency is it?

Wear some barefoot shoes a few times. Then you won't heel strike!

Heelstriking isn't intrinsically a problem and lots of people do it with no problem (and can make things worse by changing). That said some people heelstrike because they are trying to take long strides and landing so that the foot makes contact ahead of, rather than under, the body, and this can be a problem. If you're injury free don't change anything, if you're struggling with some niggles then check if you're overstriding before you even think about footstrike.

A "running coach" ? Whatever next. That sounds like a waste of money.

I think you'd be getting injuries if you were running very incorrectly. It's just an innate ability in us as humans to be able to run isn't it? I suppose we all have a slightly different style or gait but children don't have to be taught how to run do they? They just do it.

You've run three marathons so bloody well done . Hopefully your friend won't start every conversation with "actually my running coach said.." that will start to grate a bit.

I'm not sure if a heel strike is good or bad but I thought the same thing about my running years ago. I started running on the balls of my feet and felt like an idiot running on my tip toes but it only took 3-4 runs and it just became natural. I don't know if it improved my running as I never tracked my performance.

Why do you say you're no good? Work on glutes and core if you want to go faster, as well as running

There's nothing wrong with heel striking, but overstriding is bad form and that is usually accompanied by a heel strike. If you think that might be an issue just try and work on taking smaller but quicker steps when running. It might feel weird to begin with.

I ran five marathons over the course of two years (ok ish times, around the 4 hour mark) and then my DH paid for some sessions with a running coach as a birthday present. He said the same thing and I worked hard to 'correct' my heel strike. I ended up getting injured and generally enjoying running a lot less. Never really felt comfortable on the balls of my feet but then no longer felt totally comfortable heel striking either. Kind of wish I hadn't done it now.

@SmileyClare

A "running coach" ? Whatever next. That sounds like a waste of money.

I think you'd be getting injuries if you were running very incorrectly. It's just an innate ability in us as humans to be able to run isn't it? I suppose we all have a slightly different style or gait but children don't have to be taught how to run do they? They just do it.

You've run three marathons so bloody well done . Hopefully your friend won't start every conversation with "actually my running coach said.." that will start to grate a bit.

Children don't have to be taught to run but no humans have not evolved to heel strike.

It's only possible with thick-soled padded shoes, which means that biomechanically it can cause problems. No unshod human would land heel-first when running.

@topcat2014 try running in a lower profile shoe and aim for a mid foot landing - it is a more natural and biomechanically safer technique that avoids hyperextension of your joints

Fair point WaltzingBetty (about the shoes ). you're not a running coach by any chance? Sorry for my derogatory comment if you are

@SmileyClare

Fair point WaltzingBetty (about the shoes ). you're not a running coach by any chance? Sorry for my derogatory comment if you are

not at all Just a slightly overweight middle aged runner interested in avoiding injury

Thanks!

I think I may be guilty of over striding - so will look at that.